Cynthia ("Cindi") Elkins, age 59, of Chicago, IL and Naples, FL, passed away on July 3, 2018 in Chicago. Beloved daughter to the late Joyce (Stehlik) Stephen and late Albert Branecki. Cindi graduated from Lyons Township High School and earned her BA from Northern Illinois University. After college, she worked at a brokerage firm, where she met her husband of 36 years, Steve. The family resided in Highland Park, IL, where Cindi actively volunteered supporting the local art community while raising her two daughters, Leslie and Shannon. Cindi had an incredible gift for creating gourmet, home cooked meals. She was an avid reader and accomplished gardener, earning a Master Gardener certification from the Chicago Botanic Garden. Cindi loved walking her 4-legged family members and cheering for the White Sox (and against the Cubs). Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her granddaughter, Joyce, and dressing her in the latest infant fashions. Cindi is survived by her husband Steve Elkins, daughters Leslie (Jens Jensen) Elkins and Shannon Elkins, granddaughter Joyce Azul Jensen, dog Chief, sister Lynn (Ken) Froeming, and brother Jeff (Kristi) Branecki and beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. A visitation will be held at Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home, 1787 Deerfield Rd. Highland Park, IL on Saturday, July 7 at 9:00am followed by a ceremony at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to One Tail at a Time or the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Foundation. For info or directions please contact Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home at 847-831-4260 or www.kelleyspaldingfuneralhome.com.